Welcome to the Foot Health Forum community where you can ask about foot problems and get help, as well as be up-to-date with the latest foot health information. Only registered members can ask a question, but you do not need to register to respond and give help. Please become part of the community (here) and check out the shop.

Foot pain

I am 31 years old and weigh 280 at 6'1" tall. I just started jogging and running. I am sure that I started out too rough and because of that I have a decent amount of pain on my left foot. The pain is on the outside (side) of the foot and a little on the bottom and is close to being directly down from the ankle, but is about 1/2" in front of that region.

It only hurts when I walk on it and am afraid that I did something that will put me out for a while. Is there a rule of thumb to see if it is just strained or if it is broken. I know nothing can be told without an xray, but I am currently out of a job and didn't want to have to go to the doctor.

DISCLAIMER:
THE FOLLOWING IS OFFERED GRATIS AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY, AND, AS SUCH, MAY NOT BE APPLICABLE TO THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONER AND/OR HIS/HER PROBLEM. IT IS CLEARLY NOT BASED ON ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE AND/OR EXAMINATION OF THE QUESTIONER OR HIS/HER MEDICAL HISTORY, AND IT CAN NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS DEFINITIVE MEDICAL OPINION OR ADVICE. ONLY THROUGH HANDS- ON PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE ACTUAL PATIENT CAN ACCURATE MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS BE ESTABLISHED AND SPECIFIC ADVICE BE GIVEN. NO DOCTOR/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED OR ESTABLISHED OR MAY BE INFERRED. THE QUESTIONER AND/OR READER IS INSTRUCTED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN DOCTOR BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, AND TO ACT ONLY UPON HIS/HER OWN DOCTOR’S ORDERS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. BY THE READING OF MY POSTING WHICH FOLLOWS, THE READER STIPULATES AND CONFIRMS THAT HE/SHE FULLY UNDERSTANDS THIS DISCLAIMER AND HOLDS HARMLESS THIS WRITER. IF THIS IS NOT FULLY AGREEABLE TO YOU, THE READER, AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT ATTAINED THE AGE OF 18 YEARS, YOU HEREBY ARE ADMONISHED TO READ NO FURTHER.
***********************************************************
A skillful examination by an appropriately knowledgeable person might be second best, but only an x-ray or other radiologic test can give you the definitive answer you need and desire. When in doubt, treat it as if to assume the worst until a diagnosis can be rendered. Although I don't and can't know enough about your individual situation to make anything other than generic recommendations, these would generally include the avoidance of weight-bearing and the employing of elevation along with carefully monitored cold applications and compression if there is swelling, at least until an actual professional examination can be made.

I am 31 years old and weigh 280 at 6'1" tall. I just started jogging and running. I am sure that I started out too rough and because of that I have a decent amount of pain on my left foot. The pain is on the outside (side) of the foot and a little on the bottom and is close to being directly down from the ankle, but is about 1/2" in front of that region.

It only hurts when I walk on it and am afraid that I did something that will put me out for a while. Is there a rule of thumb to see if it is just strained or if it is broken. I know nothing can be told without an xray, but I am currently out of a job and didn't want to have to go to the doctor.

Thank you

Click to expand...

It is easy to be impatient with your progress when you first start running. It takes at least 6 weeks of regular easy running over short distances before you can safely start to push it. During that time your body is adapting to the stress and growing better able to deal with the trauma that occurs while running. If you do too much too soon then injury is often the result.

While there are a few different things that may be causing your pain the most likely are either a strain of the tendon of the peroneal muscles or a calcaneal stress fracture. As you can imagine the prognosis and treatment of these conditions are significantly different. That is why you need someone to diagnose your problem accurately. I doubt this will require an x-ray but you need to see someone who treats sports injuries of the foot. A Podiatrist would be the best bet.

Rest Ice Compression and Elevation is always a good standby until you are able to get it seen to. If there is no improvement with self treatment within two weeks then you really need it to be seen by a medical professional.